Waste Reduction & Recycling HBS Student Sustainability Associate Program

Waste Reduction & Recycling Campaign Campaign Kick-off & Waste Awareness Presentation – today! Introduce HBS’ sustainability program and your section’s Student Sustainability Associate (SSA) Kick off the Green Cup challenge and the Waste Reduction & Recycling Campaign Review what goes in the trash, recycling, and compost bins Garbage Games (Green Cup Challenge) – November 3PM Seeking 6 tributes from each section to compete Teams will enjoy an adventure-packed competition, snacks, and a shot at winning Green Cup points Sponsor tip: pay attention to the content in this presentation!

Sustainability at HBS Results (2014) 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 21% reduction in energy consumption 67% campus-wide recycling rate Initiatives 100+ energy conservation measures 11 LEED Certified Buildings kilowatts of on-campus installed solar (Tata, Shad, Batten, Morgan buildings) Annual Green Cup Challenge Competition among the sections through a series of sustainability-themed events Sections compete for points that go towards the Green Cup grand prize ($1000) and contribute to SA Cup totals Sections that attend today’s session will receive their first Green Cup point!

Student Sustainability Associates (SSAs) The SSAs are HBS students that have a personal and/or professional interest in environmental sustainability There are 10 SSAs, one per section SSA initiatives: – Promote sustainable living and working on campus through a variety of educational events and communications (see campaigns) – Suggest and pursue infrastructure and policy modifications to improve resource conservation on campus – Serve as a resource for each section to address questions and provide information on sustainable living Class of 2016 SSAs AAparna SinghFJim Ross BSameer ManekGBhargavi Chevva CColin FraserHRitika Tawani DPolina DekhtyarILauren Rodriguez ENib ParatheepthamJWendy Lin Campaigns Oct-NovWaste Reduction & Recycling Nov-DecEnergy Conservation Feb-MarWater Awareness AprilEarth Month MayMove-Out

The Facts We produce a lot of waste – The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash per day (about 1.5 tons per year) – In 2009, Americans produced enough trash to circle the earth 24 times – Americans throw away (not recycle) 25 million plastic bottles every hour We’ve gotten better about recycling our waste, but have a long way to go – Over 75% of waste is recyclable, but only about 35% is recycled (up from 10% in 1990) Recycling waste can generate some serious value – On average, it costs $30 per ton to recycle trash compared to $50 per ton to send it to the landfill, and $65-$75 per ton to incinerate it – The 36 billion aluminum cans in landfills last year had a scrap value of more than $600 million. Over the past twenty years we've thrown away aluminum cans worth over $12 billion on today's market – Every pound of recycled PET (plastic) used in place of virgin material reduces energy use in plastic production by 84% and greenhouse gas emissions by 71% Sources: dosomething.orgwww.epa.gov

The Problem It is nearly impossible to avoid generating waste and still be a functional, happy, and healthy person The average person is aware of the reduce, reuse, recycle concept, but this awareness often doesn’t translate to action Some common challenges include: – Convenience – Who has time to do dishes or wash towels when there are disposable ones? Why would I go searching for a recycling bin when there’s a trash bin right here? – Uncertainty about what to throw away vs. recycle vs. compost – Not a top priority What has been a challenge for you?

Waste Reduction & Recycling at HBS HBS is working to make waste reduction & recycling easier for you HBS has single stream recycling, which means that everything that can be recycled goes into one bin Waste bins everywhere, including trash and recycling bins inside and outside of every classroom in Aldrich Composting available at Spangler Grill and performed by Spangler dining staff (waste on conveyor) Disposable containers and napkins that are recyclable or compostable Other waste reduction & recycling initiatives: – Used item drives for donation (gently used cosmetics, clothing, office supplies, housewares) – Discount on coffee when you bring your own mug – November 6: Receive $0.67 off food & drink purchases in celebration of HBS’ 67% recycling rate!

What Goes Where? Plant-based plastics (labeled #7) can’t be recycled!

What Goes Where? Greenware

What Goes Where?

Additional Resources Your section’s SSA